Controlling layer thickness and photostability of water-soluble cationic poly(p-phenylenevinylene) in multilayer thin films by surfactant complexation.
In this work we build on prior studies of the novel water-soluble cationic conjugated polymer known as "P2" (poly{2,5-bis[3-( N, N, N-triethylammonium bromide)-1-oxapropyl]-1,4-phenylenevinylene}) with a focus on its incorporation into thin films for such applications as photovoltaics or electroluminescent devices. Multilayer assemblies were constructed using P2, the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and the polyanion poly(sodium 4-styrene-sulfonate) (PSS) using the technique of layer-by-layer electrostatic self-assembly (LBL-ESA). SDS was observed to affect the layer thicknesses and absorbance characteristics of the films. We show that the optical properties and photo-oxidative resistance can be improved by varying the SDS content in the assemblies. Specifically, the surfactant-complexed poly( p-phenylenevinylene) (PPV) shows an enhanced absorption at longer wavelengths as well as improved photostability. Therefore, our work may have broad implications on the development of stable PPV-based materials in general and their efficient integration into thin films technologies.
Treger
Jeremy S
JS
Department of Chemistry, Pomona College, 645 N. College Avenue, Claremont, California 91711, USA.
Ma
Vincent Y
VY
Gao
Yuan
Y
Wang
Chun-Chih
CC
Jeon
Seaho
S
Robinson
Jeanne M
JM
Wang
Hsing-Lin
HL
Johal
Malkiat S
MS
D000042:Absorption; D000838:Anions; D002412:Cations / Q000737:chemistry*; D008027:Light; D008956:Models, Chemical; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D010100:Oxygen / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D011145:Polyvinyls / Q000737:chemistry*; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate / Q000737:chemistry; D012995:Solubility; D055672:Static Electricity; D013451:Sulfonic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry*
D000838:Anions; D002412:Cations; D011108:Polymers; D011145:Polyvinyls; D013451:Sulfonic Acids; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; C470024:poly(4-phenylenevinylene); D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; D010100:Oxygen; C077114:styrenesulfonic acid polymer